Tune in Now to the Joint Compliance Outreach Program

Features

• Tune in Now to the Joint Compliance Outreach Program 
  FINRA, the SEC, and MSRB are jointly hosting the 2026 Joint Compliance Outreach Program for municipal advisors, dealers, and other market professionals today and tomorrow, Jan. 21-22, 12-5 p.m. ET. This free virtual event allows municipal market participants to hear from FINRA, SEC, and MSRB staff on timely regulatory, technology, and compliance matters for municipal advisors and dealers. You may still register here, and the broadcast will be accessible via the SEC’s website after the event. 
   
• SEC No Longer Accepts Paper Filings of Annual Reports 
  As a reminder, recent SEC amendments, detailed in the Information Notice on Nov. 14, require member firms to submit their annual reports electronically through the SEC’s EDGAR system. Firms should not also file hard copies, as the SEC no longer accepts paper filings of annual reports. These SEC amendments do not change how firms submit annual reports to FINRA, as electronic submission is already required. 
   
• ICYMI: Outside Activities Requirements Rule Proposed 
  FINRA filed a rule proposal with the SEC to streamline and reduce unnecessary burdens regarding existing requirements that address the outside activities of member firms’ associated persons. The proposal would replace two rules—Rules 3270 and 3280—with Rule 3290, which would narrow the scope to investment-related activities while preserving investor protections. Part of our FINRA Forward rule modernization initiative, the proposal reflects feedback we received from Regulatory Notice 25-05 published last March. In particular, it would address concerns regarding the Regulatory Notice 25-05 proposal by eliminating the supervisory and recordkeeping requirements for outside unaffiliated investment adviser activity while maintaining notice and assessment obligations. The SEC will invite comment on the proposed rule change via its website when the proposal is published in the Federal Register. 
   
• ICYMI: FINRA Seeks Input on Proposal to Help Firms Protect Customers From Fraud  
  FINRA requested public comment on a rule proposal to address the growing problem of fraud and financial exploitation. The proposal includes amendments to boost the adoption and usefulness of customers’ trusted contacts, and allow member firms greater flexibility to extend temporary holds when they reasonably suspect financial exploitation of a senior or vulnerable adult. It would also offer member firms a new optional shorter temporary hold (a “speed bump”) to protect customers of any age from suspected fraud. Please see Regulatory Notice 26-02, published on Jan. 8.  The comment period closes on March 9. 
   
• ICYMI: Improvements to ‘Interpretation Handbook’ Continue 
  FINRA updated our Interpretations to the SEC’s Financial and Operational Rules to incorporate additional existing SEC guidance. This continues our efforts to modernize this key resource, otherwise known as the Interpretation Handbook, which helps member firms comply with the SEC’s rules for calculating net capital, protecting customer assets, recordkeeping, and financial reporting. These latest updates are available here. 
   
• ICYMI: SEC Compliance Outreach Event for Small Firms on Regulation S-P  
  The SEC will hold a hybrid event on Jan. 22, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET, for small firms regarding the 2024 adoption of amendments to Regulation S-P. You must register in advance for in-person attendance. More information is available here.